Olubadan-Designate Tasked On Economic Expansion Of Ibadan
The leadership of the Christian body in the Alarere community, the host community of the Olubadan-designate, Dr. Lekan Balogun, has demanded for the economic expansion of the ancient city during his reign.
The Christian body, numbering about 20 and led by Reverend Ade Afolayan, made the demand during a visit made to the Olubadan-designate, on Sunday.
Reverend Afolayan asked Dr Balogun to focus on making Ibadan as prosperously big like Tokyo in Japan, Washington DC in the United States of America (USA) and London in the United Kingdom (UK), among others.
He recalled the recent past when Ibadan hosted some manufacturing companies which did not only boost the residents’ economy, but also made significant impact on the nation’s GDP.
He therefore called on the incoming traditional ruler of Ibadanland to use his exposure and connections to bring back the good old days.
Responding, the Olubadan-designate thanked the clergumeb and asked them to intensify their prayers for Ibadanland to enjoy more peace, stressing that it is only in the atmosphere of peace that anything meaningful could take place.
He also asked them to feel free to visit his residence if there is any issue they feel needs his intervention, with a promise that his becoming the Olubadan would not change his open-door and non-discriminatory disposition.
A copy of a big bilingual and Yoruba Bible each, as well as a copy of Daily Guide were presented to the Olubadan-designate, just as prayers were offered for a hitch-free inauguration as well as peaceful reign.
Meanwhile, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, has asked residents of the ancient city to remain calm, noting that the emergence of the Olubadan-designate as the choice of the kingmakers remains sancrosanct.
He said this while reacting to apprehension on the seemingly delayed inauguration of the new Olubadan, noting that “there is no cause for alarm. Our choice as kingmakers has not changed and there’s nothing changing it.”
